The Cowboys had a chance to take the best defensive player available with the fourth overall pick in Jalen Ramsey, but elected to help an offense that is already stacked with Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and three Pro Bowl offensive linemen by taking Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.
My take: The Elliott train started rolling in the final couple of weeks before the draft with the way Elliott rolled as a running back for Ohio State.
A team that needs defensive help thought the best way to help that unit was adding another piece to the offense. The Cowboys still can’t rush the passer or take the ball away, but with Elliott, they believe the defense will not be on the field as much, which therefore makes it better. As it stands, the Cowboys have eight draft picks remaining. They must address the defense heavily.
The Cowboys had eight rushing touchdowns last season and their leader was Joseph Randle with four, despite playing in only six games.
The Cowboys are looking for Elliott to do what DeMarco Murray did for them in 2014, when he ran for 1,845 yards. If he can, that will help Tony Romo and, perhaps more importantly, the defense.
“I’m a balanced guy,” Elliott said. “I wouldn’t say I run one way. I think I run well inside the tackles. I think I run well outside the tackles. I think I’ve got good speed and I’m a physical guy too. I can make you miss. I think that I did a great job in college kind of developing on my weaknesses and I think I’m a balanced runner.”
In good company: For just the third time since 1967, the Cowboys have selected a running back with a top-20 pick. The previous two made the Hall of Fame. One is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.
In 1977, the Cowboys used the second overall pick to take Tony Dorsett. In 1991, the Cowboys used the 17th overall pick to take Emmitt Smith, who went on to rush for 18,355 yards. Expectations are big for quarterbacks (Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach), wide receivers (Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, Bob Hayes) and running backs (Smith, Dorsett) when it comes to the Cowboys. Elliott will arrive with big-time expectations. Can he handle them the way Romo and Dez Bryant have?
Help wanted: The Cowboys very easily could have selected Jalen Ramsey with the fourth overall pick and helped their defense. Ramsey could have played all over the secondary, although the Cowboys viewed him as a cornerback first. It would seem as if they would need a pass-rusher, considering the state of their roster. If they go with a defensive end, it would mark the third straight year they chose someone at that position with DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory picked in 2014 and ’15. Both will miss the first four games this season because of a suspension. Can you name the opening day defensive ends when they line up against the New York Giants on Sept. 11?
What’s next: The Cowboys might not be done in the first round if there is a player they like toward the end of the round, as ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported earlier today. If they stand pat, their second-rounder comes at No. 34 overall. Have we mentioned they must look for defensive help after taking Elliott?